EP0097062B1 - Joining techniques for large structures - Google Patents

Joining techniques for large structures Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0097062B1
EP0097062B1 EP83303484A EP83303484A EP0097062B1 EP 0097062 B1 EP0097062 B1 EP 0097062B1 EP 83303484 A EP83303484 A EP 83303484A EP 83303484 A EP83303484 A EP 83303484A EP 0097062 B1 EP0097062 B1 EP 0097062B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
truss
interconnecting
apex
modular
fitting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP83303484A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0097062A1 (en
Inventor
John Mockovciak, Jr.
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Grumman Corp
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Grumman Aerospace Corp
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0097062A1 publication Critical patent/EP0097062A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0097062B1 publication Critical patent/EP0097062B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
    • E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
    • E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
    • E04C3/08—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal with apertured web, e.g. with a web consisting of bar-like components; Honeycomb girders
    • E04C3/09—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal with apertured web, e.g. with a web consisting of bar-like components; Honeycomb girders at least partly of bent or otherwise deformed strip- or sheet-like material
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1927—Struts specially adapted therefor of essentially circular cross section
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1933—Struts specially adapted therefor of polygonal, e.g. square, cross section
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1936—Winged profiles, e.g. with a L-, T-, U- or X-shaped cross section
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1951—Struts specially adapted therefor uninterrupted struts situated in the outer planes of the framework
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1957—Details of connections between nodes and struts
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1957—Details of connections between nodes and struts
    • E04B2001/1966—Formlocking connections other than screw connections
    • E04B2001/1969—Ball and socket type connection
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1981—Three-dimensional framework structures characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework
    • E04B2001/1984—Three-dimensional framework structures characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework rectangular, e.g. square, grid
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1993—Details of framework supporting structure, e.g. posts or walls
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
    • E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
    • E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
    • E04C2003/0486—Truss like structures composed of separate truss elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
    • E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
    • E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
    • E04C2003/0486—Truss like structures composed of separate truss elements
    • E04C2003/0495—Truss like structures composed of separate truss elements the truss elements being located in several non-parallel surfaces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a construction technique for facilitating the rapid assembly of large structures at sites both terrestrial and extra terrestrial.
  • a more exotic example might be one of the extra-terrestrial structures planned for future specific applications in outer space or for the general exploitation of the resources located there.
  • the ideas for such structures are not new since the design concepts for them have been developed over the last decade, prompted by studies sponsored by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA).
  • NSA National Aeronautics Space Administration
  • US-A-4332501 relates to the construction of space structures employing an assembler trolley.
  • These space structures comprise a plurality of trusses and truss junctions that are in turn made up of a plurality of individual struts and nodes, and are built up progressively, strut by strut, node by node, by the assembler trolley as it crawls along the truss under construction.
  • An object of the present invention to provide a universally adaptable construction technique for facilitating the assembly of large structures at virtually any site, irrespective of its location.
  • An object of an aspect of the present invention is to provide a construction technique which utilizes on-site fabricated sub-assemblies and modular interconnecting members to facilitate the construction of large structures, which will allow a reduction in the time and thereby the cost of constructing large structures without compromising their structural integrity, and which, while utilizing substantially uniform subassemblies and interconnecting members, simultaneously permits the rapid construction of large structures having a broad range of sizes and designs.
  • a truss structure for facilitating the construction of large structures, comprising:
  • modular interconnecting members for interconnecting at least two discrete triangular trusses in cross arrangements comprising one or more connecting joints comprising a male fitting mated with a female fitting each of said fittings having a plurality of tabs each tab straddling a longeron and a batten of said triangular trusses.
  • modular interconnecting members for interconnecting at least two discrete triangular trusses in tri-beam or platform arrangements comprising:
  • all the structural components used to construct a large structure employ a modular configuration.
  • This permits the sub-assemblies to be easily joined together in a limited number of interconnecting modes by a corresponding limited number of modular interconnecting members which connect quickly, and which correspond in their design and manufacture to the interconnecting modes being used.
  • This modular approach results in a cost savings in building such structures since the limited number of parts which must be manufactured reduces tooling, manufacturing and inventory costs.
  • the standardization of all the structural components facilitates the use of on-site automated equipment to fabricate structural sub-assemblies ready for interconnection into final structures, thereby resulting in additional construction cost savings.
  • the modular approach allows the final on-site assembly of a large structure to be done quickly, not unlike a tinker- toy that is rapidly assembled from basic building blocks. The result is a simpler, more efficient means of constructing large structures, requiring less labour and construction equipment, resulting in substantial cost savings in the areas of manufacture and final assembly.
  • the modular interconnecting members used with the trusses vary according to the interconnecting modes used to implement the design of the final structure. Generally, however, these modular interconnecting members include connecting joints quadrapod structures and vertical and diagonal structural members, while the interconnecting modes include cross (or lap) arrangements, tribeams and platforms.
  • the trusses in orthogonal relationship are joined along their longitudinal sides by one or more modular interconnecting members which comprise connecting joints, and in some arrangements, quadrapod structures.
  • the trusses are interconnecting either apex-to-apex, base-to-base or base-to-apex.
  • Tribeams In the tribeam arrangement three parallel triangular truss beams, spaced equidistant from each other, are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising connecting joints and vertical and diagonal structural members to form larger beams called Tribeams.
  • the Tribeams in turn, can be used in cross arrangements like the triangular truss beams.
  • a multiplicity of Tribeams and triangular trusses are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising connecting joints and vertical and diagonal structural members to form still larger structures utilizing the multiplicity of repetitive tribeam patterns in overlapping fashion.
  • Basic triangular trusses can be readily fabricated at a construction site by an automated beam builder which is easily transported to the site, and which is known in the art, the operation of such beam builder being described in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the use of such a beam builder, modified to fabricate triangular trusses with the connecting joints described herein attached thereto, allows the rapid assembly at a construction site of any of the previously described large structures having a fairly open structural design.
  • Other structures which may use the construction technique described herein might include radio or microwave transmission towers located at intermediate points over long distances; large greenhouses used for special planting projects, especially in remote areas such as a desert; or large animal shelters or barns and any fencing which may also be used on a farm or ranch. In the latter case the depth of the triangular truss would be reduced substantially over the normal size used in building structures.
  • other structures which lend themselves to the use of an open structural design would also be capable of using the construction technique of the present invention.
  • an entire truss can be fabricated on-site by an automated beam builder 56.
  • the builder 56 uses three feed spools 58 for feeding rolled raw material stock 57 to a processing unit 63 which folds or otherwise forms the stock into the longerons 1 of truss 5.
  • the battens 2 and braces 3 for interconnecting the longerons are dispensed from three vertical brace dispensers 59 and three diagonal brace dispensers 60 respectively, dispensers 59 and 60 simultaneously spot welding battens 2 and braces 3 to the longerons 1 which they interconnect.
  • Cut-off shears 61 are used to cut longerons 1 in accordance with the desired length of a given truss 5.
  • an automated beam builder for fabricating basic structural trusses on-site can also be extended to include the function of attaching the fittings which comprise the connecting joints used for interconnection of the triangular trusses in the various interconnecting modes. By doing so the previously noted cost benefits associated with automated manufacturing can be extended even further.
  • Triangular truss 5 can also be build to varying truss depths and lengths to suit the needs of particular design applications. Although the following descriptions refer only to trusses of the type shown in Figure 1, the construction techniques discussed are generally also applicable to trusses of the type shown in Figure 2, except where specific differences are noted.
  • Figures 6a to 6h illustrate the various cross type arrangements for interconnecting two modular triangular trusses.
  • the various cross type arrangements are effected through the use of one or more connecting joints, and in two of the arrangements one or more quadrapod structures.
  • FIG. 4a and 4b An illustrative connecting joint used for such cross arrangements is shown in perspective in Figures 4a and 4b.
  • the connecting joint 10 shown therein is used to effect the apex-to-apex cross arrangement of Figures 6a and 6b.
  • the joint is formed by the connection of a mating pair of male/female fittings 11 and 11', respectively.
  • the construction of such fittings conforms to one of several connection designs. Typically, they may be of the shear-pin type, the snap-lock type, the probe and drogue type, or other mechanically or electrically actuated type which allows their quick connection.
  • Figures 4a and 4b illustrates the use of a ball 7 for the construction of male fitting 11 and a partial socket 7' for the construction of female fitting 11'.
  • ball 7 is snapped into socket 7' and locked in position by a spring loaded catch 6 to hold trusses 5 and 5' together.
  • the latch can also be designed to release the fitting to enable disassembly of said structure.
  • each of fittings 11 and 11' has two tabs 8 and 8' which are shaped to allow them to straddle a longeron, and two battens 2 forming part of an apex or base of a truss to allow the bonding of such tabs to such battens and longeron for the purpose of attaching fittings 11 and 11' to their respective trusses 5 and 5'.
  • tabs 8 and 8' can be effected by an adhesive, mechanical fastening, or by welding, depending upon the material from which such fittings are manufactured.
  • an adhesive for a land environment such fittings would often be metal, and tabs 8 and 8' could be welded to the longeron and battens which they straddle.
  • tabs 8 and 8' could be bonded to the longeron and battens they straddle by means of an adhesive.
  • the apex-to-apex cross arrangement shown in Figures 6a and 6b is effected by means of a single connecting joint 10 interconnecting the apices 9 and 9' of triangular trusses 5 and 5'.
  • Each apex 9 and 9' is formed by the intersection of a single longeron 1 and the series of battens 2 interconnecting the longeron with the other two longerons of the truss.
  • apex 9 of truss 5 is joined to apex 9' of truss 5' through single modular interconnecting member connecting joint 10.
  • Connecting joint 10 is formed by the connection of mating fittings 11 and 11', which, in turn, straddle the respective longeron 1 and the two battens 2 forming that part of each of the respective apices 9 and 9' where trusses 5 and 5' are to be interconnected.
  • FIGS 6c and 6d illustrate the base-to-base cross arrangement for interconnecting two triangular trusses.
  • Each of the truss bases 12 and 12' is formed from two parallel and co-planar longerons 1 and their corresponding interconnecting battens 2.
  • Base 12 of truss 5 is joined to base 12' of truss 5' through a plurality of interconnecting members comprising four identical connecting joints 13, such that the bases are lying in different but parallel planes.
  • connecting joints 13 is similar to that of connecting joint 10 shown in Figures 6a and 6b, each consisting of mating fittings 14 and 14' mounted to trusses 5 and 5' respectively in a manner identical to that used to mount fittings 11 and 11' of Figures 4a, 4b, 6a and 6b.
  • FIG. 6e and 6f A variation of the base-to-base joining arrangement of Figures 6c and 6d is shown in Figures 6e and 6f.
  • the spacing between trusses 5 and 5' is larger than the width of a truss base.
  • base 12 of truss 5 is interconnected to base 12' of truss 5' through a plurality of interconnecting members comprising eight identical connecting joints 15 and two identical quadrapod structures 16 and 16' interconnected by single connecting joint 17.
  • Both quadrapod structures 16 and 16' are pyramid-shaped pentahedral structures having four legs 21, each joined at one end to a common juncture forming the apex of the pyramid, and at the other end to a fitting 19', which when joined with its mating fitting 19 forms one of the eight connecting joints 15.
  • the apices of quadrapod structures 16 and 16' are connected to fittings 18 and 18' respectively, which, in turn, are joined together to form central connecting joint 17, causing quadrapod structures 16 and 16' to be interconnected in opposed relation to one another.
  • the mounting of fittings 19 and 19' to trusses 5 and 5' is identical to the mounting of fittings 11 and 11' of the apex-to-apex arrangement of Figures 6a and 6b.
  • Figures 5a, 6g and 6h illustrate the base-to-apex cross arrangement.
  • base 12 of truss 5 is joined to vertex 9' of truss 5' through a plurality of interconnecting members comprising four identical connecting joints 15, shown in greater detail in Figure 5b, and a single connecting joint 20, all interconnected by quadrapod structure 16.
  • Construction and mounting of connecting joints 15 is, again, similar to that of the connecting joints in the aforementioned arrangements.
  • Quadrapod structure 16 of Figures 5a, 6g and 6h is identical to quadrapod structures 16 and 16' of Figures 6e and 6f.
  • the apex of quadrapod structure 16 is connected to fitting 18 which, in turn, is mated with fitting 11' to form connecting joint 20.
  • Fitting 11' in this arrangement is identical to fitting 11' of the apex-to-apex arrangement of Figures 6a and 6b, and fitting 18 is identical to fitting 18 shown in Figures 6e and 6f. Again, the construction and mounting of the above fittings is similar to that used in the previous arrangements.
  • FIG 5a is another view of the base-to-apex cross arrangement of Figures 6g and 6h, showing a typical quadrapod structure 16 is perspective.
  • the quadrapod structure 16 is similarto quadrapod structures 16 and 16' used in the base-to-base cross arrangement shown in Figures 6e and 6f.
  • legs 21 of quadrapod structures 16 and 16' can be fabricated from the same materials from which the structural elements of the triangular trusses are formed.
  • the preferred embodiment would be moulded plastic for moulding an entire quadrapod structure in one piece.
  • Such moulding could also include fittings 18, 18' and 19' as an integral part thereof. If alternative materials such as thin gauge aluminum or composites are used to make legs 21, fittings 18, 18' and 19' would be bonded to legs 21 by means of an adhesive, spot welding, or the like.
  • FIGS 7 and 8 illustrate two alternatives of the construction technique for constructing Tribeams from triangular trusses.
  • the Tribeam is a larger version of the triangular truss.
  • the interconnection of the modular trusses are effected through the use of a plurality of connecting joints and vertical and diagonal structural members.
  • the connecting joints used to interconnect the triangular trusses 5 and structural members 28, 29 and 31 into the tribeams and platforms of Figures 7, 8 and 9 are more complex in design than those connecting joints used in the various cross arrangements of Figures 6a through 6h.
  • Each of these connecting joints consists of a multi-fitting piece of female construction mated to a plurality of individual male fittings attached to the various structural members. Thus, for each of the individual male fittings being used there is a corresponding female fitting moulded into the multi-fitting piece.
  • connecting joint 27 shown in Figures 10a and 10b perspective views of the Inverted-Apex Tribeam of Figures 7a and 7b, is representative of the complex joints used in the tribeams and platforms of Figures 7, 8 and 9.
  • connecting joint 27 consists of multi-fitting piece 22, attached to vertex 9 of truss 5, and mated with individual fittings 23, which are attached to battens 28 and to braces 29.
  • space multi-fitting piece 22 consists of a moulded piece of plastic incorporating a plurality of fittings of female construction.
  • fittings 11 and 11' of Figures 4a and 4b to one of the longerons 1 and two of the battens 2 comprising vertex 9 of truss 5, shown in phantom to better illustrate connecting joint 27.
  • Individual fittings 23 would also be made of moulded plastic, but of the opposite sex to the fittings moulded into multi-fitting piece 22.
  • fittings 23 also have a handle 24 moulded into them to aid a land based worker or an astronaut working in orbit to assemble connecting joint 27 more easily.
  • Such a handle would be moulded into like fittings used in multi-fitting connecting joints similar to connecting joint 27.
  • FIGs 7a through 7d illustrate the interconnection of triangular trusses in Inverted-Apex Tribeam configurations.
  • Tribeam 25 consists of three interconnected triangular trusses 5 longitudinally parallel to and equidistant from each other.
  • each triangular truss 5 of Tribeam 25 is interconnected along one apex 9 to each of the other two trusses 5 through interconnecting members comprising connecting joints 27, vertical structural members (battens) 28 lying in a series of planes normal to the longitudinal axis of the Tribeam 25, and diagonal structural members or braces 29 lying diagonally between adjacent battens 28.
  • the battens 28 and braces 29 are positioned so as to extend between the connecting joints 27 and are constructed from either plastic, aluminium or composite materials, depending upon the environment and application in which the structure is used.
  • the planes in which the battens 28 and braces 29 lie simultaneously define a space 30 having a triangular cross-section, the vertices of which correspond to the locations of connecting joints 27.
  • Figures 7c and 7d illustrate Inverted-Apex Tri- beam 26, identical in construction to Tribeam 25, except that it is constructed with diagonal structural members consisting of pairs of pre- tensioned metal cables 31 for diagonal bracing, each cable pair 31 being substituted for a single brace 29.
  • Connecting joint 32 is a modified version of joint 27, which is adapted to interconnect the three triangular trusses 5 through battens 28 and diagonal bracing cables 31.
  • FIGs 8a to 8d illustrate the contruction technique for the interconnection of triangular trusses into Upright-Apex Tribeams 33 and 34. Construction of these Tribeams is similar to that of the Inverted-Apex Tribeams 25 and 26 except that the bases of the three triangular trusses, rather than their apices, are interconnected. As a result of this joining arrangement Upright-Apex Tribeams 33 and 34 require twice as many connecting joints over a given length as do Inverted-Apex Tribeams 25 and 26 of Figures 7a to 7d.
  • each of the three triangular trusses 5 are interconnected along one base 12 to each of the other two trusses 5 through interconnecting members comprising connecting joints 35, vertical structural members, or battens 28, identical to those shown in Figures 7a-7d, and lying in a series of planes normal to the longitudinal axis of Tribeam 33, and diagonal structural members, or braces 29, also identical to those shown in Figures 7a and 7b, and lying diagonally between adjacent battens 28.
  • the battens 28 and braces 29 are positioned so as to extend between the connecting joints 35.
  • Upright-Apex Tribeam 34 is similar in construction to Tribeam 33 of Figures 8a and 8b, except that it is constructed with pairs of pre-tensioned cables 31, substituted for braces 29, necessitating the use of connecting joint 36.
  • Connecting joint 36 is a modified version of connecting joint 35, being adapted to accommodate cables 31.
  • Figures 7 and 8 also illustrate the construction technique for mounting equipment, sensors or other like structures to either triangular trusses alone, or when used within a Tribeam, or for combinations of both evolved into various large structures.
  • Figures 7a-7d show a plurality of mounting adaptor fittings 37, each attached to an apex 9 of a truss 5.
  • Each mounting adapter fitting 37 is used to attach any equipment, sensors or other like structures which may be used with a given structure.
  • fittings 11 and 11' of the apex-to-apex arrangement of Figures 4a and 4b fitting 37 is mounted on the longeron 1 and two of the battens 2 comprising part of vertex 9.
  • FIGS 8a to 8d show the construction technique for mounting equipment or sensors or other like structures to Upright-Apex Tribeams 33 and 34.
  • each mounting adaptor fitting 57 is connected to a base 12 of a truss 5 of Tribeam 33 through a quadrapod structure 16, which is identical to quadrapod structure 16 of Figures 4e through 4h and 5a.
  • the apex of quadrapod structure 16 is attached to fitting 57 which is used to attach equipment, sensors or other like structures.
  • Each of three of the legs 21 of quadrapod structure 16 is attached on the end opposite fitting 57 to truss 5 through a connecting joint 15, which is identical to the connecting joint 15 used with two variations of the cross arrangement.
  • the remaining leg 21 is attached to truss 5 through a second type of connecting joint 40 which is a modification of connecting joint 35.
  • connecting joint 41 is used, it being a variation of connecting joint 36, modified to accommodate cables 31 and remaining leg 21.
  • FIGs 9a to 9d illustrate the construction technique for constructing a multiplicity of triangular trusses into large structural platforms.
  • the basic designs and structural components of the Tribeams of Figures 7 and 8 are used, but extended according to the requirements of the particular structural design being implemented.
  • Figure 9a illustrates platform 52 incorporating the design of the Inverted-Apex Tribeam of Figures 7a to 7d.
  • Basic connecting joints 27, used with brace 29 shown in Figures 7a-7d, are supplemented by additional connecting joints 42 and 43.
  • Connecting joints 32, used with cable pairs 31 shown in Figures 7a-7d, are supplemented by additional connecting joints 44 and 45.
  • connecting joints 42 or 44 are used to interconnect truss 48 of first tribeam arrangement 46 to trusses 47 and 49 of first tribeam arrangement 46 and truss 50 of second tribeam arrangement 51, which also encompasses truss 49.
  • the remaining two joints of first tribeam arrangement 46, used to interconnect trusses 47, 48 and 49, are both a connecting joint 27 for use with brace 29 shown in Figures 7b and 8b, and connecting joint 32 for use with cables 31, shown in Figures 7d and 8d.
  • joints 43 and 45 are used to interconnect the three trusses within a tribeam arrangement and two other trusses, each of which is part of an adjoining tribeam arrangement.
  • joints 43 or 45 interconnect trusses 48, 49, 50, 53 and 54; trusses 49, 50 and 53 being part of tribeam arrangement 51, and trusses 48 and 54 being part of tribeam arrangements 46 and 55, both adjoining arrangement 51.
  • Joint 43 is used with brace 29 shown in Figures 7b and 8b, while joint 45 is used with cables 31, shown in Figures 7d and 8d.
  • FIG. 9b is an overview of the structural configuration of platform structure 52 which generally uses the design of the Inverted-Apex Tribeam. As the drawing indicates the platform may be extended to any required size.
  • Figure 9c illustrates platform 56 incorporating the design of the Upright-Apex Tribeams of Figures 8a to 8d.
  • brace 29 shown in Figure 8b
  • two connecting joints 35 are used to interconnect the bases 12 of end trusses such as 47 and 48, and lower level trusses such as 47 and 49.
  • Connecting joint 27 used with the Inverted-Apex Tribeam of Figures 7a and 7b is used to interconnect the upper level trusses such as 48 and 50 with each other and with lower level trusses such as 49 and 53.
  • Tribeam connecting joints 32 and 36 are substituted for connecting joints 27 and 35 respectively.
  • FIGs 9d is an overview of the structural configuration of platform structure 56 which generally uses the design of an Upright-Apex Tribeam. As with platform structure 52, platform structure 56 may also be extended as required.
  • Connecting joints 32, 35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 would all be of similar construction to connecting joint 27 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 10 and 10b, varying only in the shape and the number of individual fittings used.
  • an automated beam builder as shown in Figure 3 would be transported to the particular land construction site, or placed in orbit by means of the space shuttle, for instance.
  • the construction crew or the crew of the space shuttle or orbital construction site would then operate the automated beam builder to fabricate the requisite number of triangular trusses with the necessary fittings for assembly a specific design of a large space structure attached to them.
  • the required joining members could be transported or also automatically fabricated with connecting joints at the construction site, whether on the ground or in orbit.
  • each triangular truss is moved to its proper location where it is readily attached to other triangular trusses through the joining members in a rapid but orderly fashion to complete the structure.
  • any structure is readily facilitated using the described methods of modular construction because of the modular structural components and because of the ease with which they are joined together.
  • the present invention provides a simpler less expensive and more efficient means of constructing large structures, requiring less labour and construction equipment for final assembly at the construction site.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
EP83303484A 1982-06-16 1983-06-16 Joining techniques for large structures Expired EP0097062B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US389182 1982-06-16
US06/389,182 US4543761A (en) 1982-06-16 1982-06-16 Joining techniques for large structures

Publications (2)

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EP0097062A1 EP0097062A1 (en) 1983-12-28
EP0097062B1 true EP0097062B1 (en) 1986-09-24

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US (1) US4543761A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP0097062B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5941547A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE3366436D1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0522013B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1993-03-26
US4543761A (en) 1985-10-01
JPS5941547A (ja) 1984-03-07
DE3366436D1 (en) 1986-10-30
EP0097062A1 (en) 1983-12-28

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